Braves off to hot start

Times Reporter

 

After a trying campaign last season, the Wheatland Braves are off to a fantastic start to the 2011-2012 schedule.

The local double-A peewee team improved to 5-0-1 on the season, after sweeping a pair of home games this past weekend at the Strathmore Family Centre.

In an early battle for top spot in the South Division, the Braves defeated the Bow Valley Timberwolves 3-2 on Oct. 7, before posting a 6-2 win over the Airdrie Lightning on Oct. 9.

“We went a long time last year before we had this many points in the season, for sure,” said Braves head coach Keith Klemmensen. “We’ve got some talented, hard-working guys again – we always try and pick mentally tough guys. 

“I don’t want to downplay the hard work we’ve done, but we’ve been very fortunate because we’ve started a few game quite poorly.”

According to Klemmensen, the Braves were very fortunate against the Timberwolves. After a scoreless first period, the Braves fell 2-0 going into the third period of play.

However, the team ignited for three goals in the final 9:56 of the game to earn the win. Connor Dunlop took a feed from Isaac Benoit to open the scoring for the Braves, before Lucas Muenchrath and Cole Reinhardt combined to assist on Matthew Quigley’s goal 24 seconds later.

Ryan Ries completed the comeback for the Braves when he scored a powerplay goal with 5:56 remaining, collecting a pass from Ryan Bell and Malik Kaddoura.

“We had some really prolonged lapses (with) lack of effort, attention to the task, attention to detail. We were quite fortunate to get the win (Friday),” said Klemmensen. “This will come to an end if we don’t play 60 minutes – that’s all there is too it.”

However, the Braves came to play on Sunday and proved that their hot start is no fluke. Riley Romashenko scored the hat-trick and added an assist to lead the way for the Braves, while Kaddoura, Bell and Kaden Hanas each scored once. Ty Tarvyd made 31 saves for the win, while Reinhardt added a pair of helpers in the win.

The Braves collected two goals in each period and peppered the Lightning with 43 shots en route to the win.

The bottom line, despite how each win was achieved, is that the Braves are the top team in the league and Klemmensen says the team had to be prepared for the bulls-eye on their back.

“At the end of the day (teams) will be gunning for us, you’re exactly right,” said the coach. “That’s part of the growing up process of becoming a double-A player. We’ll see how they handle it. (The coaching staff) will do what we can to prepare them for it.”

The Braves next game is Oct. 16 (4:15 p.m.) when they host the Innisfail Flyers at the Strathmore Family Centre.

 

Warriors remain undefeated

The Wheatland Warriors improved to 4-0-1 on the season after whipping the Red Deer Steel Kings 9-0 on the road Oct. 8 and edging the Airdrie Lighning 4-3 the following day at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Will Conley and Markus Lavallee each scored twice and added two assists to lead the way for the Warriors, while Shane Fraser added a pair of goals and an assist in the 9-0 romp. Jayse Wilson scored twice and Kaleb Robinson also tallied for the Warriors.

On Sunday, Fraser again notched two goals and an assist to lead the way for the Warriors, while Robinson and Conley each scored once.

The local double-A bantam team will play a pair of road games this weekend when they travel to Lacombe and Innisfail.

 

Chiefs improve to 3-0

Just like the peewee and bantam teams, the Wheatland Chiefs double-A midget squad improved to 3-0 on the season with a 10-3 road win over the Taber Golden Suns on Oct. 8.

Going into the third period with a 3-3 tie, the Chiefs exploded for seven unanswered goals in the third period.

Abe Jensen notched a hat-trick, while Connor McCallum and Brooker Pretty Youngman each scored twice to lead the Cheifs. James Price added a goal and two helpers, while Justin Kostluk added a goal and an assist. Ryan Thomas notched the other goal for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs next home game is Oct. 14 (7:30 p.m.) when they host the Airdrie Lightning at the Strathmore Family Centre.